Despite the rainy / cold weather, I really enjoyed my experience with the Ogden Marathon. The mostly downhill course is really pretty with picturesque views of snow capped mountains, reservoirs, and water falls / bubbling spring brooks. Don't be fooled though; this race isn't 100% downhill and there are some challenging moments, particularly in the early stages of the race.

The volunteers and water stops were spot on. I was surprised at the number of them who braved the elements and were there for us - thank you! Some of the Powerade dispensers need to be cleaned out - as some of them were off-tasting.

The coach bus ride to the race start went off without a hitch. However, I was disappointed with the accommodations once we reached the start. It was raining, the field was muddy and yes there were cowpies. The fires were smokey on account of the rain, which was an irritant. While I was able to make friends with many of the runners during the wait period, it seemed that we were hurried to the starting area only to sit and wait for a long time.

The t-shirt and finisher medal were good and the expo went beyond my expectations. Overall, I was happy with my experience but I hope they make the full marathon's starting area a bit more accommodating in regards to potential weather issues (also get us up there no more than an hour ahead of time).

Would I run this race again - yes. Expect a well run race in a beautiful setting.

Let me share a secret about marathons: They can be very tough. Marathons are designed to inflict pain and discomfort. You have to be prepared for anything and everything. If you forgot to make allowances for rain, that's your fault. If you are cold, you should have worn warmer running gear. When you got to the finish why didn't you anticipate the need for something to stay warm? Did the complainers below only train on nice weather days? Take some accountability for your lack of planning and judgement and don't blame others! This is a marathon, not a day at the beach! If you want to be cared for like you are at a 5 star hotel, go stay at a five star hotel. Cowboy up!

I didn't like the weather either, but that's part of the gamble you take when you sign up for a race.

I've run 44 marathons, four of which were in the rain. I prefer to run in nice, dry weather, but lousy weather marathons add texture to running and help create some great tales to share with friends and family.

Now that I've got that out of the way, congrats to the Ogden Marathon for a great job. Fantastic scenic course, great volunteers, and excellent organization. I'll be back next year.

I couldn't agree more with the posted review 'Mother Nature Throws Curveball'. I too looked so forward to running this beautiful course but the non-stop cold rain, in 40 degrees, the entire 26.2 miles, definitely made a negative impact. It was so cold my legs were numb! The race organizers could not do anything about the crazy weather, obviously, but they were far from prepared. Perhaps even handing out garbage bags at the starting area would have helped (since we had to sit on the muddy, wet, and yes, cow-pie full field for 1.5 hours). And most importantly, we needed the space blankets or some protection at the finish area where it was still pouring, cold rain. I guess they gave them all to the half-marathoners? I was an early finisher and saw none. Like many others it was a serious struggle to wander through the finish area and back to my hotel in this exhausted, frozen condition.

Regardless, kudos to the volunteers, race organizers, and spectators who endured the awful weather to cheer us on and support us. I would run this course again, hopefully enjoying it more the 2nd time in better weather.

I applied to run this race in the lottery, and I can see why it's so popular. Not only was it well-organized, but beautiful as well.

The night before the race, the weather forecast called for rain between 5 am - 7 am. I brought my fashionable garbage bag and grocery sack shoe covers for the longish wait at the start. Plenty of porta potties and firepits made this wait enjoyable.

When the race started at 7:15, the rain never let up. I wondered how many runners, like me, had really nice rain gear sitting at home. Oh well, such is life. I bring up the rain thing because I was at least running in it and staying warmish. Kudos to the volunteers who sat through it as well, with smiles on their faces.

We couldn't find my bag at the end...it was pouring...so I went back to my hotel. The team later found it and was great to communicate with.

My timing results were not posted, which stressed me out, but the race director and timing company resolved the issue quickly.

I qualified for Boston - could not think of a better place or race to do so.

Although I left Ogden satisfied that I had completed one of the most mentally tough marathons of my 33, I had a profound sense of disappointment as well. Ninety-five percent of my disappointment was out of the hands of the organizers and everybody else because Mother Nature decided that it was time to soak Ogden, Eden, Huntsville and the entire course with an unrelenting and cold rain on Marathon Day. Hence, my disappointment, I chose Ogden because it is billed as one of the most beautiful marathon courses in the country. And although I still saw most of this beauty with roaring streams and waterfalls and steep canyons and the fog dancing in the hills, the true grandeur of my surroundings (the snow-capped peaks, the blue water of Pineview reservoir, the morning light glowing through the tall trees) was unfortunately lost. Let me make myself perfectly clear, this was obviously no fault of the race organizers, but still a disappointment.

On the other hand, the conditions made for a mentally tough race which was very satisfying to complete. Constant cold rain for 26 miles takes its toll even when appropriately dressed. It's just plain hard to stay dry and warm in those type of conditions. And then there's my best friend who, while we were running together, enjoyed sharing the story by science fiction writer, Ray Bradbury, of astronauts trapped on Venus where it was constantly raining and they ultimately commit suicide because they can no longer stand the rain!

Getting back to the remaining 5% disappointment: I have to lay this on the race organizers. Although they did their best, I feel they were significantly ill-prepared for the conditions. Yes, they kept us nice and warm at the starting line with the fire pits - a nice touch. But there was a major problem at the Finish Area. After running 26 miles in these conditions and suddenly stopping with continued rain and cold, there is a significant risk of hypothermia. Although I saw a few space blankets on some runners, the crew either ran out of them or at the very best didn't make them very prominent. There was no warm-up tent or equipment that is common in other marathons. We were left to fend on our own. I know my body temperature had significantly dropped - it took me an hour to stop shivering even back in my toasty hotel room under the blankets of my bed. My friend experienced the same. I heard that the Ogden Marathon has enjoyed excellent weather for 11 of its now 13 runnings but I hope the organizers take 2013 as a lesson and become better prepared for inclement weather in the future.

Other thoughts:
1) Nice but not spectacular finisher's medal
2) Bus rides to start were easy and seamless
3) The pre-start runner's holding area was a pasture that had been used by cows...beware of cow pies!
4) Volunteers are wonderful and nice
5) Gear pick-up at Finish Line was easy - fortunately so, I had to get into some warm dry clothes STAT!
6) Bus pick-up and Finish Line are very close to hotels.
7) 25th Street (Finish Line) is a blast!

The scenery in this race was amazing (forests, streams, rivers, waterfalls, greenery, moutains, canyons, log cabins, farms, horses etc). The organization was top notch. The transportation to the starting point was very well organized. The aid stations were plentiful, well manned and stocked with goodies (water , G2, mini Clif bars, fruit, gum?). The course started above 5,000 feet and descended to about 4,200 feet. The course was generally down hills but there were a few places where you had to go up hill. The scenery was entertainment enough and there was also minimal entertainment at some of the aid stations. Though it rained the entire 26.2 miles the race was a treat. You will not be disappointed.

OGDEN MARATHON ORGANIZERS SHOULD REMOVE MARRIOTT (SUMMIT HOTEL) AS A SPONSOR OF THIS RACE.

***HOTEL WARNING*** HOWEVER: The Marriott Hotel (now named Summit Hotel) should be ashamed of what they did that weekend. This hotel was listed as a sponsor of the race on the official website. The race started at 7:15 and they expected you to be checked out at noon. They would not waive the check out time. I repeat, they would not waive the check out time. They only offered for you to pay an additional charge for additional hours. We were not the only group complaining to management about this. They explained that they booked some other large party for Saturday night and could not extend the check out time. Outrageous and poor managing. I came across 10 other people who were just as bitter about how the hotel was completely missing the point of being a sponsor hotel of this event. I suggest that the marathon organizers remove this hotel from future participation. We spoke to the on site manager and the head manager of the establishment with no satisfaction.
Do the math: Race starts at 7:15. Finish race in four hours. (11:15). Ten minutes to get out of runner corral and 10 minutes to walk back to the hotel. You now have 20 minutes to shower and get out of the damn room. All that would have been needed was an hour. NOPE. Pay an additional $50. Were they out of their minds? Now they will get a whole boat load of negative feedback.

This was my first marathon ever, and I loved it. It was perfect. The predominately downhill course is great. I hadn't trained adequately, but it was still a great experience. I was sad to hear that it went to a lottery this year, but hopefully I can get in to run it again. The medal was great. The finish line food was great. The spectators at the end were great, although I wasn't a huge fan of the last mile or two being through the city streets.

If you have a hard time with downhills, maybe this isn't for you. The vast majority is downhill except for the last mile or so and a hill around mile 14 (which isn't that bad. It looks bad, but it isn't). Run a lot of hills, and you'll do just fine on this course. It's awesome!

I've now run this race 8 times and keep wanting to come back for more. This race is a jewel that's getting harder to get into and sells out very quickly.

The course is highly scenic and overall pretty gentle without too many hills.

There's really no room for improvement with this event...except in my running.

This was my first marathon and it was perfect! Beautiful course, perfect weather, great support and spectators, beautiful medal, and the greatest recovery food ever at the finish!!!!

My favorite surprise was the ice cold sponges offered toward the middle of the race. Very nice touch!

Perfect race! I would do it again!

This is my second Ogden marathon and am impressed with all the effort that goes into it. I wa planning on this being my last marathon but now I'm having second thoughts